Astros’ Norris dilemma continues as trade deadline looms

Even when the Astros’ No. 1 starter is halfway through a career year and is the second-best overall player on a struggling team. Even when Norris leapt across the third-base foul line and took the mound Tuesday at Busch Stadium, facing a Cardinals club he’s regularly owned since entering the majors in 2009.

How much longer will Norris remain an Astro?

Does he want to remain an Astro?

Do the Astros truly want Norris?

A July 31 trade deadline is expected to provide the Astros’ answers. The best pitcher on the worst team record-wise in Major League Baseball tops the club’s list of deal-worthy players with a little more than three weeks remaining before the non-waiver cutoff.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has listened to, read and tuned out Norris trade rumors ever since a 107-loss 2012 season ended. Tuesday, Luhnow continued to ignore the chatter, instead focusing on the fact his 28-year-old righthander entered a 9-5 defeat to St. Louis leading a team with baseball’s highest ERA (4.83) in wins (six), individual ERA (3.22), strikeouts (76) and innings (109).

“It’s so hard to tune out all the noise around you, and Bud has done a tremendous job of that this year,” Luhnow said. “And he is our best pitcher, and he’s been our most valuable pitcher this year, and he will continue to be. And we need him. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a leader on the team. He’s a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. And I used to sit here in this stadium in fear every time I watched him on the other side.”

Norris’ start Tuesday was his 19th this season. He could hit 20 before the All-Star break, but with former No. 2 starter Lucas Harrell recently demoted to the bullpen — the disgruntled trade candidate relieved Norris — and a slot open Sunday at Tampa Bay for the Astros’ pre-break finale, manager Bo Porter has decided to rest Norris and turn to an as yet unnamed fifth starter.

Norris to get rest

Porter made the call for two reasons. He wants to reward Norris’ strong first half with nine days of rest. Porter also wants to keep his best pitcher available in case Detroit manager Jim Leyland calls with a just-opened spot on the American League All-Star team.

“If we wanted him to make the start (against Tampa Bay), he would definitely do it,” Porter said.

He added: “I understand what goes into making those decisions as far as guys dropping out of the All-Star Game and you have the opportunity to add reserve guys. And I want to do everything that we can to put him in position.”

But the extra rest also creates another question: Could Tuesday’s start be the last Norris makes in an Astros uniform?

Norris was off-target from the start against the Cardinals.

He entered the contest having more success against St. Louis than any other club he’s faced, going 8-5 with a 2.74 ERA.

He exited having given up a first-inning two-run homer, a second-inning sacrifice fly, 11 overall hits and seven runs in five innings.

Norris rarely appeared comfortable and twice was at the center of injury delays. He pulled up limping after throwing a 95 mph two-seam fastball that turned into Matt Carpenter’s second-inning sac fly. After collecting the Astros’ first hit off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright with an infield single in the third inning, Norris hobbled around first base and later pulled up while running toward second base.

“There was a lot going on today,” Norris said. “I just tried to battle through it the best I could.”

Sub-standard outing

Before the bottom of the fourth was complete, it was 6-0 St. Louis. Norris’ dominance against the Cardinals had been erased. His last outing before the break would be his worst statistical start since May 13.

The Astros continue to say they want Norris. They have three weeks left to prove they believe keeping him in uniform is the best long-term move for their No. 1 starter and the organization’s multi-year rebuild.

“Bud has handled himself admirably this entire year given all the chatter that is out there,” Luhnow said. “He’s taken control of the things that he can control. … Bud’s been here, and he’s grown into that role. He’s here, and he’s arrived.”

But will he stick around?

brian.smith@chron.com
twitter.com/chronastros

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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<center><strong>July 10: Cardinals 5, Astros 4</center></strong>
J.D. Martinez is tagged out at home by Tony Cruz of the Cardinals.

<center><strong>July 10: Cardinals 5, Astros 4</center></strong>
J.D. Martinez is tagged out at home by Tony Cruz of the Cardinals.

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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Matt Adams hits an RBI single against the Astros in the second inning.

Matt Adams hits an RBI single against the Astros in the second inning.

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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Jake Elmore turns a double play over Matt Adams.

Jake Elmore turns a double play over Matt Adams.

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez hits an RBI single.

J.D. Martinez hits an RBI single.

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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Matt Holliday follows through on a two-RBI single.

Matt Holliday follows through on a two-RBI single.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller delivers in the first inning.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller delivers in the first inning.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Matt Carpenter, right, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

Matt Carpenter, right, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

Photo: Chris Lee / Associated Press

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Matt Holliday recoils from an inside pitch.

Matt Holliday recoils from an inside pitch.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Yadier Molina reacts after striking out.

Yadier Molina reacts after striking out.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers.

Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers.

Photo: TOM GANNAM / Associated Press

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Matt Carpenter follows through on a two-run home run.

Matt Carpenter follows through on a two-run home run.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Astros relief pitcher Wesley Wright reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Matt Carpenter.

Astros relief pitcher Wesley Wright reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Matt Carpenter.

Photo: Tom Gannam / Associated Press

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Chris Carter celebrates with Brett Wallace as he crosses the plate after hitting a solo home run.

Chris Carter celebrates with Brett Wallace as he crosses the plate after hitting a solo home run.